Everett
hinge linkage



M. C. EVERETT HINGE LINKAGE Filed Feb. 6. 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Aug. 31, 1965 M. c. EVERETT HINGE LINKAGE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 6. 1962 III 3 INVEN TOR.

WMZEKM Aug. 31, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 6. 1962 INVENTOR.

G- 1965 M. c. EVERETT 3,203,032

HINGE LINKAGE Filed Feb. 6. 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 o 9 a I Fig. l 3

24 ==%fi-fi Win 4 M INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,203,032 HINGE LINKAGE Milton C. Everett, 42 W. Raymond Ave., Roosevelt, NY. Filed Feb. 6, 1962, Ser. No. 171,405 1 Claim. (Cl. 16-163) This invention relates to improvements in hinge linkages, and more particularly to hinge linkages which are useful in effecting the lateral displacement of a closure member with respect to its axis of movement, as distinguished from the conventional swinging movement of a closure member about a fixed hinge or other pivotal connection.

Various link-type hinges for effecting the compound movement of a closure member have been suggested. Some of the said devices are quite complicated and diflicult to install; others fail to control the movement of the closure member through all positions thereof.

One object of this invention is a hinge linkage which is simple to install.

Another object is a hinge linkage which eflectively controls the movement of the closure member through all positions thereof.

Another object is a hinge linkage which reduces the path traversed by a closure member in moving from an open to a closed position and back again.

Another object is a hinge linkage which enables a closure member to function effectively in a confined s ace.

Another object is a hinge linkage which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, easy to install, positive in operation, and very efiicient and durable in use.

These and other objects will appear from the detailed description which follows.

In the drawing comprising four sheets of fifteen figures, numbered FIGS. 1 to 15, both inclusive:

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross sectional view of a fragment of a container, its closure, and the hinge linkage therefor, showing certain of the parts in bold lines, and in broken lines, to indicate their respective closed, and open, positions.

FIG. 2 is an inverted plan view of a hinge linkage partly in cross section, taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a hinge linkage partly in cross section, taken along the line 33 of FIG. 1, looking the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a fragment of the container of FIG. 1 partially broken away and with the closure removed to reveal the hinge linkages.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of a modified form of hinge linkage installed between a fragment of a container and its closure member which are shown in cross section.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are cross sectional views of details of the modified form of linkage brackets of FIG. 5, taken along the lines 66 and 77, respectively of FIG. 5, looking in the direction of the appropriate arrows.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a fragment of the container of FIG. 5 partially broken away and with its closure removed.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of another modified form of hinge linkage as installed between a container and its closure member, of which fragments are shown in cross section.

FIG. 10 is an inverted plan view of a fragment of the hinge linkage of FIG. 9, showing fragments of the container and its closure member in cross section and inverted plan, respectively.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are cross sectional views of details of the hinge linkage of FIG. 9, taken along the lines ice 1111 and 12-12 respectively of FIG. 9, looking in the direction of the appropriate arrows.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a box-type container with the cover open to reveal the hinge linkage.

FIG. 14 is a front elevation of a vault-type structure with the door fully open to reveal the hinge linkage; and

FIG. 15 is .a perspective view of a pedestal cabinet showing the door thereof open in an underslung position below the bottom wall of the cabinet.

Like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawing.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 to 4, a pair of link hinges (FIG. 4) provide a series of pivotal connections between a container 28 and the cover 29 thereof. Each link hinge of the pair includes two angle brackets 21, 22 which are spaced apart and are pivotally connected to the opposite ends of a long link 23, and of a short link 24, by means of separate pairs of pivotal connections 25, 25 and 25', 25'. A spacing washer 26 is interposed between the head of each pivot 25 and the face of the corresponding link 23, or 24 (compare FIGS. 2, 3

and 4). The washers 26, 26 also function as thrust washers.

Each of the angle brackets 21 (FIGS. 1 and 4) is mounted by means of a suitable number of screws 27, 27 to the inner wall 28 of the container, and each of the corresponding angle brackets 22, 22 is similarly mounted by means of a suitable number of screws 27, 27 to the inner face of the cover 29 (FIG. 1) of said container 28. The pivotal connections 25, 25' for the links 23 and 24 are so arranged upon the brackets 21 and 22, that when the cover 29 is in its closed position (FIG. 1), the short links 24, 24 and their associated pivotal connections 25, 25 (FIG. 4), are nearer to the inner face of the cover 29 than are the long links 23, 23 and their associated pivotal connections 25, 25.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the long and short links 23, and 24, in conjunction, cause the cover 29 to move in a controlled path, outwardly and rearwardly around the pivotal connections 25, 25 of the angle brackets 21, 21 and around the outer face of the side wall 28 of the container, from the closed position shown in bold lines in FIG. 1, to the open position shown in broken lines in the said figure, thus effecting lateral displacement of the cover member 29 behind the outer face of a portion of the wall 28 of the container.

The links 23 and 24 are pivotally supported upon the upstanding flanges of their associated angle brackets 21 (FIG. 3) and 22 (FIG. 2) in such manner that said links are spaced apart by the thickness of the wall of the flange augmented by the oppositely convexed spaced protuberances (FIGS. 2 and 3) formed in each upstanding flange concentric with the paired holes which receive the pivot pins.

When the hinge linkage is installed upon a large or a heavy closure member, the torque exterted upon the pivotal connections may be such as to bend to apply excessive, or unequal strain upon the angle brackets 21, 21 (FIGS. 1 and 4). This condition may be corrected by interbracing the angle brackets 31, 31 (FIGS. 5 and 8) with a torque rod 28 (FIGS. 5, 6, and 8). The torque rod 32 may be journalled to rotate in bearings formed in the flanges of the angle brackets 31, 31 (FIG. 6), and the inner end of each link 33 (FIG. 5) may be modified to key upon the squared ends of the torque rod 32 (FIG. 6), so that the torque rod 32 and the links 33, 33 turn together whenever the cover 29 (FIG. 5) is opened or closed. A thrust washer 26 is mounted between each pivotal connection 25 and each end of each short link 24 and of each torque link 33, see FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8. The torque rod 32 is also an advantage when installed upon along cover or closure member, because since the torque rod and the links rotate in unison, both links In the modified form illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 12, both inclusive, the hinge and'link construction is much more rugged, and .two or. more of such hinge and link units may be combined in tandem, or in multiple, as when ap plied to such massive structures as safes, vaults, or the like (FIG. 14).

' While in FIGS. 9 to 12, inclusive, only one hinge and link combination is shown, it should beunderstood that two or more, such hinge and link units may be combined in tandemor in multiple, across a door, or closure 29 (FIG. 9), and that the torque rods 47, 47 may also extend across the door 29 and pass through each of the hinge and link units. I

Referring to FIGS. 9 to 12, the flanged eye lugs 41 and 43 may be anchored to theinterior face of the wall 28 of a vault or similar structure in any preferred manner as by the collar screws 54 and 55, which pass through the stepped holes in the flanges of the eye lugs 41 (FIGS. 9 and 10), and 43 (FIGS; 9 and 11), respectively, and are screwed,in threaded sockets embedded in the 'wall 28. Similarly flanged eyelugs 42 (FIGS. 9 and 10), and 44 (FIGS. 9 and 11), may be anchored to the inner face of the door or closure 29 in any preferred manner, as by the collar screws 54, and 55, respectively, which pass through stepped holes in the flanges of the eye lugs 42 and 44 and are screwed into threaded sockets formed in said door or closure 29. The eye lug 41 attached to the wall 28 is paired with the eye lug 42 attached to the door or closure 29 to receive the opposite ends of a long link 45 and one end of each of the torque rods 47, 47. Simi- FIGURE 13 illustrates the use of the hinge of the present invention on an enclosure 28 having a cover 29 which is normally closed in horizontal position. FIG. 13 illustrates the cover 29 in open position with the lower end of the cover extending down belowthe top of the enclosure 28, and the short links 24, 24' resting against the top of the enclosure. to maintain the cover in a substantially vertical position. I

FIG. 14 shows the enclosure of FIG. 13 mounted on one side so that the cover 28 swings to one side when in open position. .1

FIG. 15 shows a modification of the invention wherein the cover 29 is hinged alongthe'lower edge of the enclosure 28 so that when the cover 29 is in open position it is in a substantially horizontal plane. This modification is useful in certain types of cabinets or portable desks.

Therefore, the present invention providesa hinge linkage which is completely sealed when the cover is closed and which functions tomove the cover with'a compound motion so that the linkage may be used for. holding the cover open. No operating parts of the linkage are exposed outside the enclosure nor do they come in contact with the cover so that the cover may be completely flat. To provide strength between pairs of hinges torque rods maybe connected to the links. i

Many modifications may be made by those who desire to practice the invention without departing from the scope thereof which is defined by the following claim.

A hinge linkage for a container cover comprising a relatively long link pivotally connected at one end to said cover and at the other end to the interior of said container a'nd'a relatively short link displaced sideways from said long link and pivotally connected at one end to said cover and at the other end to the interior of said eon- ;tainer, said short and long links being opposite each other and being mounted substantially parallel to each other 3 and to the cover when the cover is in normally closed larly, the eye lug 43 is paired with the eye lug 44 (FIGS.

9 and 11), to receive the opposite ends of a shorter link 46. 9 A clevis formed at each end of the longlink 45 receives the eye of one of the eye lugs 41, or 42, and one end of each torque rod 47, 47 (FIGS. 9 and 12). A bushing 49 is mounted in the eye of each of the eye lugs 41 and 42 (FIG. 12), to support the ends of the torque rods 47, 47. Each clevis is keyed to one of the torque rods 47 by one of the pins 52, 52 (FIGS. 9, 10, and 12), so that the long link 45 and both torque rods 47, 47 turn freely and in unison in the sleeve bushings 49, 49 (FIG. 12). ,The thrust washers 51, 51 are mounted upon the torque rods 47, 47 between adjacent faces of each clevis and each eye lug 41 and Y42 (FIG. 12). By this arrangement the torque rods 47, 47 pivot freely in the bushings 49, 49 relative to the eye lugs 41 and 42.

, Similarly, a clevis formedat each end of the shorter link 46, receives the eye of one of the eye lugs 43 or 44, and 'one of the pintles or pintle pins 48, 48. The sleeve bushings 50, are also mounted in the eye of each of the eye lugs 43 and 44 to support the shorter link 46 and the pintle or pintle pin 48 (FIG. 11). 1 Each pintle 48 is keyed to a clevis of link 46 by a locking pin 53 (FIGS. 9 and 11), so that the shorter link 46 is freeto turn in the sleeve bushings 50, 50 relative to the eye lugs '43 and 44. I r

position and the short link being closer to said cover than the long link when the cover is in said closed position, the dimensions of said links and the spacing of said links relative to each other and the said cover and the said containerbeing such that when said' cover is open said short link crosses over said longlink' and bears against an edge of said container to-hold said cover in'open position and completely away from the opening in' said container.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,872,909 8/32 Douglass 16-163 1,888,345 11/32 Cummings 16-163 2,091,673 8/37 vD6 Orlow 16-163 2,130,663 9/38 Baker 16 164 2,197,648 -4/40 Mersheimer 16-163 2,227,655 1/41 Levy -16- 163 x 2,570,479 10/51 Pollman 16-164 -2,614,285 10/52 Snell 16-164 2,648,093 8/53 Wilson 1 16-164 DQNLEY I. STOCKING, Prirhiary Examiner.

HENsoN WOOD, n8, EARLE J; DRUMMOND, Examiners. 

